Mike Berlon, the Loganville lawyer whose problems at work had brought pressure to step down, announced his departure last week, but he delayed the move until the party's first vice chair, who will assume the position, returned from out of the country.

"I am concerned only about the continuity of our party and ensuring Democrats get back to the business of demonstrating why we are best positioned to lead this state into the future," Berlon said in a press release. "We have a great opportunity to win a U.S. Senate seat here in 2014. We also have good shot at the governor's race with the right candidate."

Berlon said the day-to-day operations of the party will continue through staff and his role for the coming week will be primarily oversight of those day-to-day operations.

In the release, Berlon left any decisions regarding the election of a new party chairperson would fall to Nikema Williams, the first vice chair, and the party's executive committee.

"It has been a great honor for me to serve Democrats in Georgia for so many years," he said. "I have made lifelong friends, and I will cherish the memories I have. Georgia has many rising stars within our Democratic ranks and I look forward to seeing our state get back on a strong financial footing with strong public schools, jobs that pay well, and an economy that supports our small business community."

Tea party group gets new name

Gwinnett's largest tea party group will change its name and its meeting date.

What began as the Founding Fathers Tea Party Patriots will become the Gwinnett Tea Party, an announcement said.

The newly renamed group will meet at 7:30 p.m. June 25 at The Uptown Grille at Suwanee Town Center.

"All that I have seen recently drives home the point that the very values and principles present at the founding of our country are in jeopardy," an announcement from David Hancock said, referencing revelations that the Internal Revenue Service targeted tea party groups and other controversies. "This is not the time to back down; it is the time to redouble our efforts."

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Camie Young can be reached via email at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.